Can retaining tabs for carrier cartons



Dec. 19, 1967 w. M. TOLAAS 3,3

CAN RETAINING TABS FOR CARRIER CARTONS Filed May 20, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Wu 4mm M Tom/1s BY Qwa ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,358,828 CAN RETAINING TABS FOR CARRIER CARTONS William M. Tolaas, St. Paul, Minn., assignor to Waldorf Paper Products Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Filed May 20, 1965, Ser. No. 457,431 11 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a carton sleeve designed to contain recessed end cans, particularly of the pop-top type in which a handle overlies one recessed can end and is anchored to a removable area in the can end. The cans are retained in the sleeve by tabs foldably connected to the panels of the sleeve overlying the recessed ends of the cans. In order to prevent the handle of the can from preventing the tabs from entering the recessed can ends, the tabs are bifurcated to provide a pair of individually flexible chime engaging portions. If one of these portions is prevented from entering the recessed end by the handle, the other portion will enter the recessed can end and engage the chime.

This invention relates to an improvement in can retaining tabs for carrier cartons and deals particularly with a type of can-retaining tab which will function more effectively than those previously used.

For numerous years, carriers have been produced for containing and unitizing a group of cans. Many of these carriers include tabs which are folded from the planes of the panels which overlie the ends of the cans and engage against the chimes of the cans to hold the cans retained in an open-ended sleeve. While carriers of this type have been successfully used for many years, during recent months some of the breweries for which carriers of the type in question have been used have adopted a type of can which may be opened without the use of a can opener. The tops of these cans are usually provided with a removable area which extends from a point near the center of the can top to a point near the chime of the can, and which is defined by a score line which extends partially through the metal of the can and along which the removable area will tear away. An external lever or handle is riveted or otherwise secured to this removable area and is arranged so that by pivoting this lever upwardly, the center portion of the removable area will be detached from the remainder of the cover and the removable area may be removed by a further pull.

In view of the fact that the cans are usually loaded into the carrier in a haphazard manner and at a very high rate of speed, the handle levers with which the cans are opened may extend radially in any direction from the center of the can. In order that the handle levers may be grasped, the outer ends of the handle levers are spaced above the can tops and are on substantially the plane of the ends of the chimes or flush with the tops of the cans. As a result, when the cans are inserted in the carrier so that these handle levers engage beneath the inwardlyfolded tabs, the outer end of the handle lever may hold the tab from engagement with the can chime. When this occurs, such cans are not securely held in the sleeve and may fall from the end of the sleeve when the carrier is lifted.

I have found that much of this difiiculty may be, eliminated through the use of a bifurcated tab which wider than the free or outer end of the handle lever,

3,358,828 Patented Dec. 19, 1967 and the notch which separates the tab into two portions is also preferably wider at its end than the free end of the handle lever. It has been found that with such a tab, when one of the bifurcated ends of the tab overlies the end of the handle lever and is held out of engagement with the chime of the can, the natural tendency for the tabs to fold back toward the plane of the surface from which they are folded causes the other end of the bifurcated tab to engage the chime end. The end portion of the handle lever is usually raised above the level of the anchored portion of this handle lever. Accordingly, when the cans are positioned so that the end of the handle lever is between the bifurcated end portions of the tab, the raised end portion of the handle lever will extend through the notch, permitting both of the ends of the tab to engage against the ends of the chime of the can.

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the tabs are notched only to a point spaced from the fold line connecting each tab to its carrier panel. As a result, the tabs may be folded by a single folding mechanism similar to that used for folding tabs of previous forms. It has been previously proposed to hold the cans by means of a pair of spaced tabs each of which individually engage the can chimes. The disadvantage of such a structure lies in the fact that tabs made in this way greatly complicate the tab folding mechanism as the number of tabs which must be folded is doubled. The applicants single bifurcated tabs accomplish the same result without complicating the mechanism. This is extremely important because of the speed at which the cans are inserted into the carriers. A stoppage in the assembly line necessitates a stoppage or slowdown of the entire line which affects the can-filling operation, the pasteurizing operation, and all of the operations which are necessary to fill and close the cans and to package them.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification,

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a can carrier in readiness for shipment or sale.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the carrier illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged plan view of the portion of the carrier showing the can handle lever extending beneath a portion of the can-retaining tab.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the handle lever for opening the can beneath a different portion of the can-retaining tab.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view through the upper portion of the can and carrier showing the manner in which the lever for opening the can may hold a portion of the tab out of engagement with the can chimes.

FIGURE 6 is a section view similar to FIGURE 5 showing the manner in which another portion of the canretaining tab will engage the chime of the can.

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic view of the blank from which the carrier is formed.

In general, the blank which is used to form the can carrier is similar to that illustrated in US. Patent No. 2,963,148 issued Dec. 6, 1950, to R. A. Cote. As is indicated in FIGURE 7 of the drawings, the blank includes a top panel 10 which, in the construction illustrated, is designed to overlie the upper ends of three pairs of cans arranged in side-by-side relation in two rows. Panel 10 is hingedly connected along parallel fold lines 11 and 12 to side wall panels 13 and 14 designed to extend outwardly of the side walls of the two rows of cans. The lower edges of the side walls 13 and 14 are hingedly connected along parallel fold lines 15 and 16, respectively, to bottom panels 17 and 19. Bottom panels 17 and 19 are each designed to extend beneath the can of one of the two rows. Anchoring flanges 20 and 21 are hingedly connected to the bottom panels 17 and 19 along parallel fold lines 22 and 23. Chime-engaging flanges 24 and 25 are hingedly con nected to the anchoring flanges 20 and 21 along fold lines 26 and 27.

As in the previous structure, the anchoring flanges 2t and 21 are adhered in face contact and the chime-engaging flanges 24 and 25 may be reversely turned to extend downwardly outwardly of the two adhered flanges to engage the can chimes. Also, as illustrated in the previous patent above referred to, a pair of spaced apertures 29 are provided in the top panel 1% and located in areas which are between the cans. These apertures 29 are designed to accommodate a finger and thumb to permit the filled carrier to be lifted and handled.

The main features of difference between the present construction and that previously employed, lies in the shape of the can-retaining tabs. The top panel is provided with four such tabs 30, each of which is designed to fold inwardly through an angle of slightly less than 180 degrees to engage the chimed end of a can. In the drawings, the carrier is indicated in general by the letter A and the cans indicated by the letter B. Similar tabs 31 are provided near opposite ends of the bottom panels 17 and 19 so as to engage the lower end of the cans. The tabs 31 in the bottom panels may or may not be similar to the tabs 30.

The tabs are hingedly connected to the top panel 10 along parallel fold lines 32 which may be in parallel spaced relation to the longitudinal edges 33 and 34 of the blank of the carrier A, or may be angled. In the drawings the fold lines extend generally diagonally from the corners of the top panel 10. As the tabs are similar, only one such tab need be described in detail. The tabs 30 are defined by cut lines 35 which diverge apart toward the adjacent longitudinal edges 33 and 34 of the blank from the ends of the fold lines 32. The end edge 36 of each tab is of substantially arcuate form, the radius of curvature being similar to the radius of curvature of the inner surface of the chimes of the cans B which will be described in more detail. A generally V-shaped notch 37 extends centrally into the tab from the curved edge 36 thereof, the base 39 of each notch terminating in spaced relation to the adjoining fold line 32. The notch 37 provides a bifurcated outer end on each of the tabs as illustrated in the drawings.

The notches 37 are preferably substantially at right angles to the lines of fold 32. Slits or cuts could be substituted for the notches and would result in some improvement. However, the use of notches is preferred as such notches may accommodate the can opening handle levers in one position thereof as will be explained.

As was previously mentioned, the tabs 31 which are in the bottom panels 17 and 19 may or may not be of the same type as the tabs 30. FIGURE 7 of the drawings shows the tabs as being similar to the previously described tabs 30. The tabs 31 are foldably connected along fold lines 40 to the panels 17 and 19, the fold lines 40 being shown extending parallel to the side edges 33 and 34 of the blank, although they may be angularly related thereto. The ends of the tabs 31 are notched similarly to the tabs 30.

The cans B are of the form best illustrated in FIGURES 3 through 6 of the drawings. The can tops 41 are provided with channel-shaped edges 42 which are clinched or roiled over the upper edges of the can bodies 43. The can tops are usually provided with a relatively deep groove 44 inwardly of the periphery of the can walls 43. The central portions 45 of the canned tops are raised. A handle lever 46 is riveted or otherwise secured as indicated at 48 to the center portion of the top.

As indicated in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings, the can tops 41 are provided with a pair of raised ribs 47 which diverge apart from a point near the center of the can top toward the can chime 49. Between the ribs 47, an endless score line is provided which is indicated in general by the numeral 50. The score line 50 includes an arcuate outer edge 51 which follows the contour of the chime, and which is rounded at its ends 52 to merge into converging portions 53 which lie inwardly of the ribs 47, and continue past the center as indicated at 54 to encircle the rivet 47. While the particular shape of the score line is dependent upon a can manufacturer, this is the general shape of the score lines in the can tops being presently produced. The score line 50 defines a removable area which is relatively Wide near the chime of the can and which is relatively narrow at the center of the can.

When the can is opened, the handle lever 46 is pivoted away from the top of the can, tearing a portion of the area defined by the score line 50 away from the rest of the can top. By pulling upon the handle lever 46, the area defined by the score line 50 may be removed, and the can is opened.

The end 55 of each handle lever 46 is reinforced along its edge and is bent upwardly to some extent away from the can top 41 in order to permit the lever to be grasped. As a result, the end 55 of the lever which is closest to the can chime 49 is virtually on the plane of the top of chime. FIGURE 2 of the drawings shows a series of the cans B is position within the carrier A. As will be noted, the handle levers 46 may extend in any direction from the center of the can, and both of the handle levers 46 of the upper row of cans as viewed in this figure lie partially beneath the inwardly folded tabs 30. FIGURE 3 of the drawings shows a handle lever 46 which is directly beneath one of the bifurcated ends of the inwardly folded tab 30. FIGURE 5 is a sectional view through the handle lever, and the top of the can B, showing the manner in which the end 55 of the handle lever tends to lift the tab 39 to a point where the end edge thereof will not engage the inner surface of the chime 49 securely. FIG- URE 6 of the drawings is a similar section through the top of the can showing the other end of the bifurcated tab 30 engaging in the can chime. The notch 37 which forms the bifurcated tab end is sufficiently deep so that one portion of the bifurcated tab may flex individually of the other end to the extent necessary to insure the locking of the can in place. As will be understood, if either portion of the bifurcated end engages a chime, the can will be locked in place.

FIGURE 4 of the drawings is somewhat similar to FIGURE 3, but shows the handle lever 46 centrally located relative to the tab 30. As will be seen, the raised end 55 of the handle lever 46 may extend partially through the notch 37 so that neither portion of the bifurcated end of the tab 30 is lifted out of engagement with the can chime 49. While the bifurcated tab structure has been designed mainly to overcome the difliculties caused by the adoption of the cans of the type described, the tabs function equally well with cans of conventional type and provide a greater measure of safety in the locking operation. While the tabs are thus folded as an individual unit, each tab is provided with two spaced chime-engaging portions, either of which can operate without the other to hold the can in place. Accordingly, the tabs are somewhat more effective than the usual types of tabs even with conventionally-formed recessed end cans.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in can-retaining tabs for carrier cartons; while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A wrapper for packing a plurality of articles having recessed ends and whose axes are disposed in substantially parallel relation and whose ends are arranged in common planes, said wrapper comprising generally parallel top and bottom walls interconnected by spaced side walls to form an open end tubular sleeve, said top and bottom walls being arranged for disposition in contacting generally parallel relation to the ends of the packaged articles, and a plurality of tabs struck out of at least one of said parallel walls, and foldable inwardly approximately 180 degrees along individual hinge lines and engageable respectively with the recessed ends of the articles, said tabs having end portions adapted to engage the periphery of the recessed ends and being bifurcated to provide two individually flexible recessed end engaging portions.

2. The structure of claim 1 and in which the ends of the tabs are notched by notches terminating in spaced relation to said hinge lines to form the two individually flexible recessed end engaging portions.

3. A wrapper for packaging a plurality of articles having recessed ends and whose axes are disposed in substantially parallel relation and whose ends are arranged in common planes, said wrapper comprising generally parallel top and bottom walls interconnected by spaced side walls to form an open-ended tubular sleeve, said top and bottom walls being arranged for disposition in contacting generally parallel relation to the ends of the packaged articles, and a plurality of tabs struck out of said top and bottom walls and folded inwardly approximately 180 degrees along individual hinge lines and engageable respectively with the ends of the articles disposed at the ends of the sleeve, the tabs of at least one of said top and bottom walls being bifurcated to provide two individually flexible chime-engaging portions.

4. The structure of claim 3 and in which the ends of the tabs of said one top and bottom wall having recessed end engaging portions, said ends being notched to provide said two individually flexible chime engaging portions, said notches terminating short of said individual hinge lines.

5. A wrapper for packaging two rows of chimed cans having recessed ends and whose axes are disposed in substantial y parallel relation and whose ends are arranged in common planes, said wrapper comprising generally parallel top and bottom walls interconnected by spaced side walls to form an open-ended tubular sleeve, said top and bottom walls being arranged for disposition in contacting generally parallel relation to the ends of the packaged cans, a plurality of tabs struck out of said top and bottom walls and folded inwardly approximately 180 degrees along individual hinge line and engageable respectively with the ends of the cans disposed at the ends of the sleeve, said tabs including arcuate end portions adapted to engage against the periphery of the recessed ends, the tabs on at least one of said top and bottom walls having notches in the end portions thereof, said notches terminating short of said hinge line and dividing said arcuate end portions into two angularly spaced individually flexible recessed end engaging portions.

6. The structure of claim 5 and in which said notches extend into said end portion at substantially right angles to said hinge line.

7. A tab member adapted to be struck from a panel of an open-ended wrapper and folded into engagement with the end of the can having a recessed end disposed in parallel contacting relation to this panel, the tab member being folded along a fold line through approximately degrees into engagement with the recessed end of an adjacent can, the end of the tab being curved to engage the periphery of the recessed can end, the curved end of the tab being cut at substantially right angles to said fold line to divide the tab into two individually flexible portions, the cut terminating short of the line of fold.

8. A tab member adapted to be struck from a panel of an open-ended wrapper and folded into engagement with the end of a can having a recessed end disposed in parallel contacting relation to said panel, the tab member being foldable along a fold line through approximately 180 degrees into engagement with the recessed end of an adjacent can, the end of the tab being curve-d to engage the periphery of the recessed can end, the curved end of the tab being notched at substantially right angles to the line of fold to divide the curved end of the tab into two spaced individually flexible can engaging portions.

9. A wrapper for use in packaging a plurality of cylindrical cans each having a recessed chimed end and an elongated handle lever for use in opennig the recessed can end said handle lever being secured at one end to the recessed end of the can near the center thereof and with the other end extending in a generally radial direction toward the chime of the can, the wrapper being designed to accommodate a plurality of articles having such recessed ends and whose axes are disposed in substantially parallel relation, and whose ends are arranged in common plane, said wrapper comprising generally parallel top and bottom walls interconnected by spaced side walls to form an open-ended tubular sleeve, said top and bottom walls being arranged for disposition in contacting generally parallel relation to the ends of the packaged cans, and a plurality of tabs struck out of the parallel wall overlying the recessed can ends and foldable inwardlly approximately 180 degrees along individual hinge lines and having ends engageable with the chimes of the recessed ends of the cans, said tab ends being bifurcated to provide two individually flexible chime-engaging portions.

10. The structure of claim 9 and in which the tab ends are centrally notched to form said two individually flexible chime-engaging portions, said notches terminating short of said hinge line.

11. The structure of claim 10 and in which the notches are of a width exceeding the width of said other ends of said can handle levers.

JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. LOUIS G. MANCENE, Examiner. 

1. A WRAPPER FOR PACKING A PLURALITY OF ARTICLES HAVING RECESSED ENDS AND WHOSE AXES ARE DISPOSED IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATION AND WHOSE ENDS ARE ARRANGED IN COMMON PLANES, SAID WRAPPER COMPRISING GENERALLY PARALLEL TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS INTERCONNECTED BY SPACED SIDE WALLS TO FORM AN OPEN END TUBULAR SLEEVE, SAID TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS BEING ARRANGED FOR DISPOSITION IN CONTACTING GENERALLY PARALLEL RELATION TO THE ENDS OF THE PACKAGED ARTICLES, AND A PLURALITY OF TABS STRUCK OUT OF AT LEAST ONE OF SAID PARALLEL WALLS, AND FOLDABLE INWARDLY APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES ALONG INDIVIDUAL HINGE LINES AND ENGAGEABLE RESPECTIVELY WITH THE RECESSED ENDS OF THE ARTICLES, SAID TABS HAVING END PORTIONS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE PERIPHERY OF THE RECESSED ENDS AND BEING BIFURCATED TO PROVIDE TWO INDIVIDUALLY FLEXIBLE RECESSED END ENGAGING PORTIONS. 